An office is an important area in a home because it must foster productivity, but it can often be one of the first places where clutter grows. If your home office is on display and used by many different family members it can be even more stressful to keep clean. Your time is precious, here’s how to make the most of it with some quick and easy office organization tips from Closet and Storage Concepts.

Stationary Clean Out

The office tends to be a place for paperwork, paper, and more paper. This is the leading cause of what tends to clutter an office not just in appearance, but also in functionality. To cut down on the paper consider not only the bills and important documents but also sticky notes, printer paper, and other stationary goods. See what can be discarded or shredded. While you’re at it, tackle your penholder. Discard any pens and markers that are out of ink or any unusable pencils.

Sort and Remove

The office is often a place where bills are paid, letters come in, and piles build up. Take a quick minute to sort through your piles or unread mail and discard junk mail. Remove items that don’t belong in the office, whether it’s the toy your child left or the cup that needs to be washed.

Proper Placement

The good thing with a quick organizing session is that it allows you to identify items that don’t belong. But just haphazardly placing items back into areas won’t solve your home organizational problems in the long run. Be sure to put items away in their designated areas; it only takes a few extra seconds. With paperwork, be sure to go through and place them in the right folder or drawer. Even putting away that one paperclip can help for a cleaner more organized office.

Clean Down

A good wipe down and dust after you’ve removed your piles and refreshed your desk can do wonders to faking a space that looks like you’ve been cleaning all day. If you’re short on time, just pay attention to the most easily seen items such as the tops of your desk, computer monitor, or any desk lamps.

Assess Storage

As you work through your office, you may notice storage systems that look a little worse for wear, or notice that you lack a system. If you have more time, consider creating storage for all of your items. When you have a proper storage system in place you can complete tasks faster and with less stress. Looking for a custom solution? Contact your local Closet and Storage Concepts design associate to help you create the home office of your dreams. Proper storage is key for office organization!

Beaches are a popular summertime location, whether it’s your local beach, or cross-country to more tropical destinations. Preparing for a beach trip may seem like a nightmare, but luckily at Closet and Storage Concepts we try to help you stay organized both in your home and out. Here are some ways to stay organized for your trip to the beach.

Prepare: Pack Right

Before you head out, make sure you’re prepared by packing the essentials. Look up the weather to determine appropriate attire and packing essentials. In many cases you’ll want to bring along sun gear (sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats), reading material, beach toys, and of course snacks.

Rather than sticking all of your items in a crazy manner into your car, consider packing them in tote bags or plastic bins. Not only will it make disembarking from your car easier, it will keep your car a whole lot neater too. For more car organization tips check out our car organization tips. If you’re going for a longer beach trip, consider splitting your luggage into various compartments with the help of storage packing cubes. Use re-sealable plastic sandwich bags, to keep small items together such as electronic cords or hairbands. Then pack these into your larger tote bag or suitcase.

If you’re having trouble finding items it may be time to invest in your storage. Take the time and effort to get organized before you leave for your trip. Purge clothes you no longer wear as you pack, toss any expired items as you prepare snacks, and evaluate your storage needs. Storage systems are key to packing easily and efficiently before a trip and even help away from home. Organizing your closets (including the hallway closet) or your mudroom is particularly important for the summer season to make summer activities like camps or swim lessons a breeze.

Once you’ve reached your destination, don’t forget to take a breather – you deserve it.

On the Road & At the Beach: Stay Organized

All your hard work at home to help your family stay organized should pay off while you’re away. Be sure to pack containers and other items away neatly to make going home easier. A list of the items that you brought with you, or pictures of them on your phone, will help to make sure you don’t leave anything behind.

Back At Home: The Pack Down

The last thing you’ll probably want to do after a family outing is all the clean-up. See where that organization in the beginning of your trip comes in handy? With designated storage areas and labels to encourage you, clean-up will go much more smoothly so you’ll be ready for sleep and rest sooner rather than later! Clean out any last remnants of sand before tucking them away and pack your beach bucket or tote in a designated area so it’s ready for the next beach run!

At Closet and Storage Concepts we want you enjoy your summer. Get and stay organized to make the most of it! If you need help getting your storage in order to pack easily, don’t hesitate to call your local Closet and Storage Concepts design associate to start creating a home that’s organized for life!

With a new season comes a new look. If you’re struggling to find pieces to wear with the warmer weather, Closet and Storage Concepts is here to help. We want to help you create a closet you love, and that includes the clothes in them! Consider adding any of these items to your wardrobe and removing any old and out of date items for increased style for you and your closet.

Sunglasses

With the increasing sunshine, now’s a great time to find the perfect shades. Whether you’re after an aviator or a cat eye, protect your pieces with the proper storage. Sunglasses protect your eyes; do the same for them by treating them with care. On the go, choose a soft-shelled case to store in your handbag or in the car. At home, you can opt for custom storage, especially if you have a larger collection that you want to protect.

Jean Jacket

Jean jackets are a classic summer staple and are available in a variety of styles and washes, so you’ll be sure to find one that fits your needs. Denim is versatile enough that it can be dressed up or down, and it’s great for covering up during cool summer evenings.

Sneakers

A good pair of sneakers is the perfect way to appeal to the casual vibes of summer. Choose classic Chuck Taylors or a trendy slip-on variety such as Toms; the possibilities are nearly endless. If you’re not a sneaker gal, consider a versatile sandal instead. To house your shoes, consider over-the-door units, or shoe racks in your entryway or garage. Adjustable shoe racks are a great way for your closet to transition with you.

Scarf

A summer scarf helps to add a bit of interest to jeans and a tee shirt. Scarves are also perfect if you need a cover up to protect against the sun, and you can even use them as makeshift blankets for spontaneous summer picnics! Opt for materials in linen or cotton versus wool. Use, or make, a scarf hanger to keep scarves in their place.

Sundress

Sundresses are a quintessential item for summer. Like the denim jacket, sundresses are also versatile enough to be dressed up for work or down for a summer barbeque. With endless styles, cuts, and patterns you’re likely to find an option that’s perfect for you.

White Tee

Switch out your darker palette in favor of a lighter one this summer, starting with your tee shirts. Replace long sleeves with short or sleeveless options to reflect the change in the weather. For a little spice, consider a classic striped option that will give your wardrobe a characteristically summery nautical look. Take this opportunity to purge any tops that no longer interest or fit you.

Jean or Khaki Shorts

A great pair of shorts should see you through multiple summers. Jeans or khakis are a great material to look for, and can be mixed and matched with a variety of items, including many that can be found on this list. They can also be used as transitional pieces.

Nude Nail

The nude nail is great in all seasons, but can look particularly good in the summer months, especially as your skin tans up a bit. If you have a bit of a crazy nail collection, look to organize your bathroom with under-the-sink options, or even try storing your polishes in over-the-door shoe holders.

Swimsuit

If you’re planning a beach trip this summer, you’ll probably need a swimsuit. Be sure to check if you really need that cute new bikini, or if you already have one that might have been stored away for the winter. Once you bring out your swimsuit, be sure to store away winter items like coats, sweaters, and turtlenecks for next year.

Strappy Heels

We listed a casual shoe choice above, but a formal option like a strappy heel in a bright or nude color is a classic summer staple for your wardrobe. Heels can be paired with a number of items on this list, from a t-shirt and shorts to a sundress. Use proper storage and organization solutions to keep your heels in good condition.

Need a closet makeover? Give Closet and Storage Concepts a call today. We can’t wait to help you create a place for every piece including your summer staples.

Cleaning out our homes is a normal activity to keep our homes maintained and to make the most of our space. At Closet and Storage Concepts, we are committed to helping you create a home that you love, with custom organization solutions. Periodically purging through your items is a great way to maintain the function of your organizers. Here are five questions to ask as you are deciding if you should toss or keep an item.

Who are you saving an item for?

We understand that sometimes we save items for others, whether they are heirlooms or other sentimental belongings. Before you keep items for another person, be sure to verify that the person does in fact want the item, and will cherish it just as much. If you are unsure whom you are saving an item for, don’t feel bad for saying goodbye to it.

Do I own something similar?

It is amazing what we amass in our homes, and how many of these items are similar or serve an identical purpose. The degree of similarity will be subject to each person, but items that perform the same job should be considered for a toss, especially if you’re having problems closing storage units. Obviously you wouldn’t consider giving away everything that performs similar tasks, but carefully considering if one item can do the job of many can help you cut down on the clutter.

Does it fit?

This can be applied to any item in your home, but is mostly related to clothing. Don’t feel bad about giving items away that no longer fit, unless you are saving the item for a sentimental reason (e.g. a wedding or prom dress). Clothes that do not fit can often make you feel worse about yourself. Make a clean cut from those negative feelings and start new in your home and life.

If an item, like a furniture piece, doesn’t fit into your home no matter where you put it, and you can’t use it to create a piece that fits, it may be time to toss the item. Try a garage sale or donating to thrift stores in order to cut down on waste.

Does it make me happy?

This is the main question posed by Marie Kondo in her New York Times bestselling book on organizing. If an item does not make you happy and bring you joy, it may be time to say goodbye to it. Every item in your home should bring you joy, in order to increase your productivity and love of your home.

How often will it be used?

This question is a great one to ask yourself, especially if you’ve unearthed something you haven’t used in a while, but aren’t sure whether or not to keep it. If you plan to keep the item, it should fulfill a role in your home and life. If an item is not going to be used very often, consider tossing the item, particularly if it doesn’t fit with the questions above.

Once you’ve cleared items from your home and need a custom storage and organization makeover throughout your home, give Closet and Storage Concepts a call today.

Photo by Kaboompics, under Public Domain through Creative Commons License Zero (CC0 1.0).

With summer on the horizon, we know that your car may be seeing a lot more action, whether it’s for summer activities, parties, or even a road trip. To make the most of your summer, and to minimize any problems that might occur with a long car trip, Closet and Storage Concepts is here with some useful tips on how you can get your car into tip-top shape.

The first step will be to give your car a clean out. Remove all of the unnecessary items, but particularly trash. Sort the remaining items in a way that allows you to see them all at a glance. This will help you assess what you have, and what will need to make it’s way back into your car. Make a list of items you need to keep, what you can relocate to the proper area of your home, and what items can be donated or thrown away. This list will help you evaluate what you have, in addition to keeping you honest about what you end up keeping in your home and car. Having too many things you don’t need is the clearest cause of clutter, so summer is a great time to streamline!

Vacuum your car’s nooks and crannies, and don’t forget to remove car mats so you can reach the base carpets for a good clean as well. You’ll be more organized with less dirt and allergens causing havoc in your car. It’s a win-win scenario!

Once your car is all cleaned up, it’s time evaluate what you have, and determine the best solution to put back what you need. Keep items that will be used more frequently in the front of the car, and less frequently used ones in the rear. A good example of this would be your phone charger, vs. jumper cables. While jumper cables are very useful to keep, you won’t need them as often as the phone charger, so you can keep the jumper cables farther from hand, like in your trunk or back seat.

To keep your car organized you will want to develop a storage solution much like you would for your pantry or closet. Key strategies include having storage catch-alls, a car clean out schedule, and an organized garage.

Reuse and repurpose items that are normally found in your home to help with organizing your car. Use remote TV holders, make-up bags, and empty Kleenex boxes to create a place for everything. Remote TV holders offer areas for drinks if your car is short on cup holders, or even for crayons and markers if your kids like to color while on the go. Make-up bags can help to keep documents or a health kit together without Band Aid strips flying around. Use Kleenex boxes to contain plastic bags for trash. Bins are particularly useful in the trunk to keep groceries and other items from rolling around. Choose ones that are sturdy and easy to remove when you need to take them out for a wash.

Another strategy is to create a schedule to clean your car out. A little effort can yield some great results! As you fill up on gas, clear out any trash and take the opportunity to re-arrange items that might be in the wrong area. Depending on your schedule, you should make time to clean your car out about once a month (although more frequently wouldn’t hurt either).

A clean garage can help you keep your car clean as well, since many items for your car are found here. Use a custom storage solution to make grabbing your kid’s sports gear or any tools needed as easy as possible. This will help to reduce any stress you may have when loading and unloading your car, while helping to keep your car free of any unneeded items.

At Closet and Storage Concepts we know that an organized home (and car) can help you have a less stressful day and help you enjoy life more! Need more organization tips? Give our experts a call. We can help you create a custom solution for your needs from the comfort of your couch!

With summer and Memorial Day just around the corner, we know we can’t wait for BBQ season to officially begin. Here are some tips from Closet and Storage Concepts that will help you have the best BBQ ever.

Create Your Space

A place to gather is one key element for any successful BBQ! While summer parties are often associated with backyards and outdoor areas, don’t forget to tidy up inside as well. Key areas to consider are the bathroom, entryway, and living areas, in case the party heads inside due to weather or at the close of the night. Getting your bathroom and entryway cleaned and organized will help you feel good about your home throughout the year.

Now we’re ready to head outdoors. Consider sprucing up your patio, as many times this area becomes the center of any party, especially during grilling season! Be sure you have enough gas or charcoal, depending on the type of grill you have, and make sure to give it a good clean. Consider organizing the area around your grill by creating a designated station for all your tools, and a separate place for all the finished food. This will help to keep your food clean, and allow you to enjoy the party even if you’re busy manning the grill.

FoodPrep

A BBQ is not a party without the food! To help ensure that your party goes off without a hitch, make sure your pantry is up to the task. Dust off your signature rub, and purge any old or expired ingredients. While you’re cleaning out your pantry, be sure to organize your items so you’ll be ready to go for the rest of the year, rather than simply stuffing everything you decide to keep back into your pantry. Your home will be cleaner and you’ll be ready for your BBQ with all the right spices. Consider re-arranging your kitchen’s pots, pans, and other tools to increase your productivity levels in the kitchen, or call Closet and Storage Concepts to help you create a custom storage solution!

Music Vibes

Summer is all about relaxation and fun. Let your music show that, whether it’s a fun throwback of 90s hits or a nostalgic disco playlist! Music is a great way to create the ambience you want and will help you feel at ease. It’s the perfect way to settle into your perfect summer BBQ!

At Closet and Storage Concepts we love to help our clients create a home that’s neat and organized. This will help you to have more room for parties like the perfect BBQ or summer gathering. Give us a call and we’ll have your home ready for a summer BBQ in no time!

Although we live in a digital world, many of us are still attached to physical mementos that bring to mind cherished memories. Photos are just one of the common items that this is true for. Whether you’ve put off organizing your photos, or have recently uncovered some from relatives, we hope this post will help you out! An organized life can increase productivity and reduce stress.

Identify Goals

First let’s identify the main goals that you have. For example, you will need to decide if you just want to sort through the hardcopies, or if you also intend to digitize them so they can be saved and shared online. The quantity of photos that you have will also impact your decision, and should help in time management expectations. A couple hundred photos might easily be done in a weekend, while a couple of thousand might take quite a few of your weekends.

Set a Game Plan

Once you’ve set your goals, it’s time to start developing a game plan. This strategy will be personalized and may develop as you dive into it. However, many plans will feature similar processes, such as the three-‘S’ plan: Sort, Scan, and Share. The order will probably change as you see fit, but it’s a good way to dive in.

Sort

This can be applied when dealing with both hardcopies and digital images. You’ll want to create a filing system that makes it easy to find images you are looking for, rather than simply having them all dumped in various places.

The most common sorting techniques are by year, by category (food, people, nature, etc.), or by person. If you sort by person, you can create folders for who is in each image then create sub-categories such as dates, events, and so on.

When sorting through your photos, don’t be afraid to toss out photos that are blurry or that conjure unpleasant memories. It’s okay to say goodbye to them and make room for new memories.

Once they are sorted be sure to have a space for them to stay nice and neat. Custom solutions are a great idea, and you can add creative custom photo displays to any room in your house.

Scan

Scanning will help to create a digital inventory of your photos. In addition, it will make the sharing aspect easier if you are planning to share the photos electronically. Don’t forget to backup your photos, just in case something might happen to them. It would be heart breaking to lose all of your work! Choose photo sharing websites to store them, a cloud service such as Dropbox or Google Drive, or an external hard drive. Some photo scanning apps also include the ability to tag people or create tags to help you keep the photos organized. You can use the sorting tips above to help keep them organized.

Share

Another problem that many people face is finding out the best ways to share their images. There are various photo sharing sites and methods. Flickr is one great photo-sharing platform. A basic membership is free, but you also have the option to pay for an ad-free version with double the storage space. With 1TB of space available (500,000 photos), this should be enough for even the most avid photographer! Facebook is another great way to share your photos, especially since you can notify people in the images by tagging them. You can also email links to the photos you post, and allow those in the photo to download them to their own computers or devices. Then there’s the old fashioned ways of sharing hard copies through the mail or in person. This is especially useful if you’re trying to clear out the collections in your home.

Photos are a great way to keep cherished memories. Keep them organized to easily find the ones you’re looking for. Closet and Storage Concepts hopes that with these tips you’ll be able to make the most of your memories!

For the shoe lovers among us, sometimes it seems like there’s simply never enough room to house our whole collections. From stilettos to sneakers, pumps to Pumas, finding places to store your shoes is no mean feat when you’re a passionate shoe lover. Fortunately, Closet and Storage Concepts has your back! Try any one of these options for a unique and clever way to store your shoes. It might even allow you to add a few more pairs to the collection without driving your significant other crazy, and that’s a win-win in our books!

Chair Rail

Using a chair rail is a clever way to store your stilettos, plus they’ll always be within reach. You can put chair rails at different levels for even more shoe storage. Unfortunately, this method only works for high-heeled shoes, sorry flat lovers. Another note about this storage method is that while it might be creative, it can also scuff your walls. To combat this, try a semi-gloss paint. The shine and finish can make cleaning a bit easier. Of course, the most passionate shoe lovers among us won’t have any problems in this regard, since of course we treat our shoes with the utmost care!

Shelving

Shelving is useful in just about every area of your home, and your closet should be no exception. Shelving should be customized for your shoes, so if you have more flats, you can get the most of your space with shorter shelving units than the friend who is all about her heels, and who’ll require taller shelves. This means that no vertical space is lost.

Alternate the shoes so you fit more into your space. You can even try open shelving for a more minimal and modern look. Open shelving can help you see the full picture of your shoe story. Maybe with all that extra room you can even start a bag collection!

Pedestal

Try this option for that Holy Grail pair of designer shoes that are just begging to be shown off. This can help to make your closet look like a boutique and offers a chic focal point, which will work especially well in walk-in closets. You can try short pedestals on top of a dresser in order to be more space conscious as well.

Hidden

You can try clever storage units for your shoes particularly if you’re short on space. Try treasure trunks or ottomans with hidden shoe pockets, or create your own in a DIY project! These are particularly great for flats, depending on how large the trunk or ottoman is. Use this option if you want shoe storage that protects your shoes, while also allowing them be concealed if you’re not one to flaunt your collection. Look for containers with interesting patterns and textures to really jazz up your space.

All of these options can help to customize your shoes and your home. For a truly customized closet, you’ll want to work with experts like those at Closet and Storage Concepts, so give us a call today!

In today’s modern age, cables are a daily part of life. Whether it’s for your ear buds, your charger, or other electronics cables, most chances are that you’ve been frustrated by the tangle of cords. This can impact your productivity and mood. Trying to tackle the cord situation can be difficult, but it can make a big difference in your productivity, but how do you get a personalized solution for your needs? Here are some tips from Closet and Storage Concepts.

Label

Cords can often get tangled because they get entangled with other cords. When you’re searching for a specific cord, you want to get it the first time, without yanking out another cord. The first step to controlling this would be to label. You can either create your own, or buy them. There are a variety of options, whether they’re stickers with an image or words, or snap versions that go around your cord and you can change out the labels and reuse them. For a DIY and budget friendly option, try bread clips. Just use a marker to write what the cord is for or use a label maker. You can choose to label on both ends of the cord or, just one. We usually recommend both ends to make it easy no matter where you are plugging your cord, but use whatever system is best for you.

Bulk

The next step would be to bulk the cords. This can help them in the next step when you start to hide them. While not necessary if you only have a few cords that won’t really show or clutter up your workspace, it can be useful to group like cables together. Try grouping cables that won’t need to be unplugged often. So printers, phones (not cells), and lamps or lights are good options. Keeping laptop, tablet, or phone chargers out of the bundle will mean they can go mobile with you. If you have multiple chargers you can probably keep all of the cables bundled together.

Hide

This might be the trickiest part when getting your cords under control, as you have to get the most creative. There are organizational systems that go behind a desk that can act as a pocket to catch and hide the unsightly cords, and even systems that guide your cords and create organized loops under your desk. Making the cords a focal point by creating loops and patterns along the wall allow you to find the cord you need without disruption to the entire system. Plus they create a pretty unique look.

Try hiding cords behind frames that may sit on top of a desk. There are wooden boxes that cover a power strip, but sometimes these look just as much out of place.

Get Creative

No worthwhile storage project is without the benefit of creating a solution that works for you. This can involve any amount of creativity, as the system will be just for you. In an office, this could mean having cords that are completely hidden and ready to be unplugged at a moment’s notice. Or it could mean featuring the cords so that they become a part of the design of your space.

If you crave a photo like the one above that has a minimal amount of cords, look for keyboards, mice, and other gadgets that can connect wirelessly to reduce the amount of cords you have. It can create a minimalist approach that makes your desk and space look larger.

You will also probably get creative with what you group together. You’ll probably have to group your cords around an outlet. If you can, you can get wall outlets behind monitors, or even on the floors. This can help to lessen the visual impact of clutter.

Create a place of productivity and peace by reducing the visual impact of the cords in your life. Need some help creating a cord solution? Give Closet and Storage Concepts a call today for a free consultation!

Image by obpia30, available under Public Domain through Creative Commons License Zero 1.0 (CC0 1.0).

With the start of daylight savings time this past Sunday, we hope you feel refreshed after losing an hour of sleep, we thought it would be a perfect time to bring you some spring organization projects for areas throughout your home along with some helpful tips. We know we’re not quite into spring, and many places around the country don’t feel like it either, but it doesn’t hurt to start getting ahead. On with the list!

Garden Shed

Spring often brings to mind flower blooms and increased sunshine. To prep for increased gardening time, it’s a great time to clean out and organize your shed. Hooks and a place for tools along a bead or peg board is a classic option so clippers, dandelion pullers, and hand trowels are all within easy reach. Try some new pots to really spruce things up in your home as well.

Hallway Closet

If you will have guests for upcoming spring breaks, the hall closet is an ideal place to start within your home. If this is also your go-to place for overflow storage, it might be time to give it a look and do a purge. Start with the top shelf as it is often forgotten about. Don’t forget to give it a clean wipe down to knock out some spring cleaning too!

Closet Storage

Once you’ve reclaimed the hallway closet start working on the other closets in your home. To make the task seem more manageable, consider doing them one by one. The linen closet is one place that is often overlooked. If you’re busy changing out the sheets on your beds, be sure to go through this closet to see if there are any outdated bed spreads that you are okay to part with.

Clearing out the winter gear will also be occurring. Try natural products to protect your clothes from moths with items like lavender or cedar blocks. Utilize under the bed storage to rotate items through the seasons. Space saving bags can also come in handy for thick knit sweaters and jackets that you’re ready to store until next winter. These help to keep your clothes fresh while making room for other goodies in your closet; a win-win!

Junk Drawer

The dreaded junk drawer is often avoided for as long as possible, which makes it one of the best places to sort out and get organized as you head into a new season. As always, be sure to give the drawer (or drawers) a good clean out. Dividers will be the best option here, especially for all the bits and bobs. If you have any old mint tins, these can help keep sewing needles, safety pins, eraser caps, etcetera contained. Try magnets along the inside to pick up and securely hold paper clips or tacks. Your home will feel a lot freer once you tackle this area.

Filing Cabinet

Prepare for the upcoming tax season by starting with your filing cabinet! Clear out or, for an even better option, shred paperwork especially if your cabinet is having difficulties opening or closing. Most tax professionals recommend keeping records for up to seven years.

Labeling will be a huge help here so you will be able to spot the account or year you need when you are going about your taxes and into the future. This tip can even be applied if you’re using online tax software or storing documents electronically.

While adjusting to losing an hour less of sleep can be less than pleasant, cleaning and organizing can help put your home, and you, into a spring spirit. Share your go-to spring organization tips in the comments below!